Ringing on the ice: hockey’s counterpart growing in population in the Comox Valley
This story is part of Comox Valley Record’s Spring issue of Trio Magazine, which is published quarterly and is available throughout the Comox Valley. The winter edition is available at the Record Office (407D Fifth St.) and in stores throughout the Comox Valley.
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The Comox Valley Ringette Association is in its 12th year and the number continues to grow annually across all age groups.
The club sent four teams – three youth teams and one league team – to the West Coast Classic in Richmond on January 13-15. The tournament is usually the first chance of the year for teams to have gameplay, said federation president Arran Arthur.
“But this season is the first time we’ve started hosting games in the Comox Valley,” she said. “We’re part of the Lower Mainland Ringette League’s schedule, and with the benefit of those regular games, we’ve seen a huge difference in the way our athletes have competed. We often aim to score a few goals in every game and involve all players in the game. This year the athletes have passed, checked, strategized and played with determination and grace.”
Ringette’s origins date back to 1963 when Sam Jacks introduced the sport to North Bay, Ontario. Originally developed for girls, the sport is played on ice with a straight, tapered stick and a rubber ring. Like hockey, it is played at various levels across Canada and in other countries. Unlike hockey, ringette does not involve body control.
“Ringette can be an excellent complement to ice hockey or an alternative when parents are looking for a non-contact ice sport,” said Arthur, whose EU passport has enabled her to play twice in World Ringette Championship tournaments with the Czech team.
Haley Hill, former President and founding member of the CVRA along with Helen Oliphant and Arthur, has also played and coached at the World Tournament. She has also taken several teams from Vancouver Island to the BC Winter Games.
“She still helps on the board and is very committed to the sport and its growth on the island,” Arthur said of Hill.
Another key member of the local Ringette community is Jennifer Hedican – “another incredible inspiration for the sport,” said Arthur. In nearly 50 years of playing the sport, Hedican has helped the Masters team win many tournament gold medals. Today she is the head coach of the U14 team.
“We have a good mix of male and female players,” said Arthur. “We hope to get more FUNdamentals players out and they can join anytime. In this age group of five to eight years we like to see a lot of growth for the future of the club.”
The CVRA is committed to growing the sport across the island, but it needs people with enough interest to start associations in Victoria, Duncan, Port Alberni, Port Hardy, Campbell River and everywhere else.
Comox Valley players can only compete in tournaments on the mainland, so having competition on the island would be a huge boost for players.
FMI: comoxvalleyringette.com
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